Aleph Farms submits first cultivated meat application in Thailand

THAILAND – Israeli cultivated meat company Aleph Farms has applied for regulatory approval to sell its lab-grown beef steak in Thailand. 

The company anticipates receiving clearance within 18 months, targeting mid-2026.

The submission marks the first application for cultivated meat in Thailand and was sent to the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), the agency designated by the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to assess novel foods.

Aleph Farms, based in Rehovot, Israel, chose Thailand for its debut due to the country’s strong culinary identity, advanced food production systems, and strategic position in the Asian market. 

The product, marketed under the Aleph Cuts brand, includes a cultivated beef steak called the Blank Angus Petit Steak. 

A regulatory timeline remains uncertain, but Toubia indicated that the process is expected to take around a year and a half.

Aleph Farms has worked closely with Thai Union, a local seafood company that has invested in them. 

This partnership involved nearly a year of preparation, including collaboration with regulatory bodies to establish a framework for introducing cultivated meat. 

Earlier this year, Aleph Farms partnered with BBGI, a biomanufacturer, and Fermbox Bio, a synthetic biology firm, to plan Thailand’s first cultivated meat factory.

Meanwhile, Thailand faces challenges related to its growing demand for animal protein. 

Meat consumption in the country has increased by 180% over three decades, requiring more land and producing higher emissions. 

A 2023 survey revealed low public awareness of the environmental impact of livestock farming and cultivated meat, although a majority of Thai consumers are willing to explore alternatives for health reasons.

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